Obesity

Recent years have seen a surge in popularity of eating patterns involving intermittent fasting as a way to manage and optimise health. This webinar reviews the health and physiological benefits of intermittent fasting, exploring the two most popular forms of intermittent energy restriction (The 5:2 Diet and Alternate-Day fasting).

This research explores participant acceptability, adherence, safety, and experiences of using a short-term total diet replacement and a food-based low energy diet in adults living with chronic kidney disease and obesity.

Markovic, TP. et al 2022   An algorithm has been developed to (i) assist primary care physicians in treatment decisions for non-pregnant adults with obesity, and (ii) provide a practical clinical tool to guide the implementation of existing guidelines for the treatment of obesity in the Australian primary care setting.  

This pilot randomised control trial tests the feasibility and potential efficacy of remotely supported intermittent low-energy diets (ILEDs) and continuous low-energy diets (CLEDs) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study demonstrated feasibility and efficacy for remote ILEDs and CLEDs for weight loss and HbA1c reduction.

This podcast, which features psychologist Glenn Mackintosh, discusses the psychological aspects to consider when a client is trying to lose weight, such as what to consider when a client walks into a clinic for weight loss advice, importance of support from a professional and how to help clients normalise lapses and relapses. This podcast was hosted and created by Dietitian Connection.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are highly prevalent diseases associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Obesity/overweight and dietary intake are important risk factors. Jamy Ard focused on the benefits of meal replacements to promote increased weight loss and increased rates of T2DM remission. Wajahat Mehal discussed sustained weight loss and improved liver health and focused on meal replacements and very-low-calorie diets (VLCD)for the management of NAFLD/NASH.

This podcast, which features dietitian and researcher Gabrielle Maston, explains what VLEDs are and tips and tricks to improve the compliance of patients on a VLED. It discusses the results of the DiRECT trial and the role of VLEDs in diabetes remission. It explores why dietitians are hesitant to prescribe VLEDs and how they can improve their confidence in recommending VLEDs to patients and clients. This podcast was hosted and created by Dietitian Connection.

A randomised control trial investigating the use of energy restricted diets delivered through primary care channels, with the aim of achieving remission for people with type 2 diabetes. Findings show that, at 12 months, almost half of participants on a total diet replacement program achieved diabetes remission.

This review paper explores the properties and current status of very low energy diets (VLEDs) in the management of obesity.  VLEDs are defined as diets which contain energy levels of less than 3.4MJ (800kcal) per day and contain daily allowances of all essential nutritional requirements and have been used in clinical settings for over 20 years.

A review and meta-analysis of the benefits of weight management for those who are at risk or have type 2 diabetes. As obesity is a major risk factor for development of diabetes, a systematic review of the medical literature to assess the impact of obesity and weight gain on risk of diabetes and CHD was conducted.

The effects of overweight and obesity are widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading health concerns, involving all age and socioeconomic groups. These Guidelines are designed for use primarily at the level of the individual who is overweight or obese, while acknowledging that individual choices are shaped by the wider environmental and social context. The evidence-based recommendations and practice points focus on clinical and physical aspects of care.

This review paper addresses questions surrounding the use of very low energy diets (VLEDs) for the management of overweight/obesity. It discusses fast versus slow weight loss and long-term results, as well advantages of VLEDs, side effects, and how it should be used. Behavioural change, active follow-up and pharmacotherapy are also discussed for optimal results.

A randomised controlled trial which investigated the rate of weight loss on the rate of regain in people who are obese (fast versus slow weight loss). The interpretation of the results were that the rate of weight loss does not affect the proportion of weight regained within 144 weeks. These findings are not consistent with present dietary guidelines which recommend gradual over rapid weight loss, based on the belief that rapid weight loss is more quickly regained.

A very low energy diet (VLED) can result in substantial, rapid weight loss and is increasingly prescribed before obesity surgery to minimise risk and difficulty by reducing liver size and abdominal adiposity. This observational study demonstrates the efficacy of using a VLED pre-bariatric surgery for 2-6 weeks.